Answers in Genesis: Born in a Barn?

Here's an interesting article on the Answers in Genesis website about whether or not scripture says Jesus was born in a stable.

Evangeliku: Dr. Joe Mizzi: Who do you say that I am?

Here is a recent post by Dr. Joe Mizzi on his blog, Evangeliku.

Eddie's Word Turnings: Death of a Christmas Tradition

Here is a link to a short story written by my husband Eddie. It has nothing to do with the normal subject of this blog, but it made me laugh alot, so I thought I'd share it for you to enjoy.

Eddie's Word Turnings: Death of a Christmas Tradition

Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton: Still Reading!

I've finished part two of 'Seven Storey Mountain' and have gotten into part three. It's going to be a difficult task to give a review of this book, since there is so much in it that I could comment on. I'm going to try to just give excerpts and comment on them from time to time as I read. There are things I can relate to and agree with in Merton's story of conversion, and then there are things I definitely disagree with, so reading this book has been a very odd experience, since to me it feels like Merton is being influenced by two separate parties which sometimes coincide with one another and sometimes oppose one another: God and Catholicism; specifically, on one side I see God and Scripture and on the other side I see Catholic philosophy, history, and devotion to 'the Mother of God'. Catholics will see no contradiction between these influences, but going with Merton's own description of entering into the 'wilderness' like the Israelites following Moses, I believe he, like all Christians, encountered the same trials and temptations that the Israelites did and, again like all Christians, succombed to some of them. I would count Merton's devotion to Mary as one of those temptations. Merton is very critical of protestantism in this book and probably considered that protestants have fallen into certain of these temptations too. We are so able to see others' failings, but not our own so easily. If only we could listen to one another humbly, and give exhortation in love, we could learn so much. I wonder what he would say about me, for instance. My book is at home and I'm not, so I'll have to post some excerpts later on and comment on them.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Scott Windsor (3): Defense of the Papacy from the Early Church

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Scott Windsor (3): Defense of the Papacy from the Early Church

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Built on Sinking Sand: The “Scriptural” Foundation for the Papacy (2)

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: Built on Sinking Sand: The “Scriptural” Foundation for the Papacy (2)

Here is Part One.

Home Living Blog: Thanksgiving

Pilgrim's First Thanksgiving, by Jennie Brownscomb


Here's an interesting post on Lady Lydia's 'Home Living' Blog about the Mayflower Pilgrims. Lady Lydia posted an article written by Richard J. Maybury called "Why the Pilgrims Starved and Then Prospered".

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving with help from some Catholic Pilgrims from Roman, Inc.. I've been trying to find a pretty set of Pilgrims for years. Why is it that the best ones are made by a Catholic company? It's kind of ironic to have Mayflower Pilgrims, who were Calvinist protestants, made by a Roman Catholic company, but then, maybe they can represent both sides of my heritage. My Italian-American Catholic family always loved thanksgiving, and they would serve lazagna first, and then bring out the turkey and dressing! Have a great day!

Out of the Mouths of Babes...

My youngest daughter Abigail, who is three, was dancing and singing along to the Koinonia High School advanced class dance "You are Worthy" and she started singing enthusiastically "You are Woody, you are Woody, you are Woody!!!" After I stopped laughing and wiped my eyes, I explained to her that the word was 'worthy' and what it meant. I'm not sure she understood or even listened, since she and her sisters were all excited about practicing their dances for a program tomorrow night. I may have to do some more explaining on that one. Kind of goes along with the kid who thought a certain hymn title was "Gladly the Cross-eyed Bear".

The Resurrection of the Body: Visits to Candyland

Here is an interesting subject posted by Kelly at Visits to Candyland blog.

"Yea, doh I walk fru da vawey of dah sadow of deaf, I wiw feew no ebooh."

Here's a video someone posted on facebook of a little girl reciting the 23rd Psalm. Her way of speaking makes it so memorable that I think we should all remember it this way when we need it some day, as if we are a little child speaking to our Father and Shepherd.

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: “We are the Church” according to Calvin, and it is Rome that needs to repent and return to the truth

Beggars All: Reformation And Apologetics: “We are the Church” according to Calvin, and it is Rome that needs to repent and return to the truth

The Pilgrim Church: The Conversion of Augustine

Here's another excerpt from 'The Pilgrim Church' by E.H. Broadbent, about the conversion of Augustine, which sounds similar to the conversion stories of St. Patrick (who was not Roman Catholic, but came from the Celtic line which descended from very early evangelism in the British Isles) and of Charles Spurgeon.

One of the great figures of history meets us at this period, Augustine (354-430),[17] whose teachings have left an indelible mark on all succeeding ages. In his voluminous writings and especially in his "Confessions", Augustine reveals himself in so intimate a way as to give the impression of being an acquaintance and a friend. A native of Numidia, he describes his early surroundings, thoughts, and impressions. His saintly mother, Monica, lives again in his pages as we read of her
prayers for him, of her early hopes, and of her later sorrow as he grew up in a sinful manner of life, of her faith in his eventual salvation, strengthened by a vision and by the wise counsel of Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. His father was more concerned for his material, worldly advancement.

Though seeking light he found himself hopelessly bound by a sinful, self-indulgent life. For a time he thought he had found deliverance in Manichaeism, but soon perceived its inconsistency and weakness. He was affected by the preaching of Ambrose, but yet found no peace. When he was 32 years of age and was employed as a teacher of rhetoric in Milan, he had reached a desperate state of distress, and
then, to use his own words: "I flung myself down, how I know not, under a certain fig-tree, giving free course to my tears.... I sent up these sorrowful cries, 'How long, how long? To-morrow and to-morrow? Why not now? Why is there not this hour an end to my uncleanness?' I was saying these things and weeping in the most bitter contrition of my heart, when lo, I heard the voice as of a boy or girl, I know not which, coming from a neighbouring house and oft repeating, 'Take up and read, take up and read.' Immediately my countenance was changed, and I began most earnestly to consider whether it was usual for children in any kind of game to sing such words, nor could I remember ever to have heard the like. So, restraining the torrent of my tears, I rose up, interpreting it no other way than as a command to me from Heaven to open the book, and to read the first chapter I should light upon.... I grasped,
opened, and in silence read that paragraph on which my eyes first fell--'Not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying, but put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.' No further would I read, nor did I need, for instantly, as the sentence ended--by a light, as it were, of security infused into my heart--all gloom of doubt vanished away."

This, his conversion, caused the greatest joy, but no surprise, to his praying mother Monica, who, as they were returning to Africa a year later, died in peace. Augustine was baptised by Ambrose in Milan (387) and became later Bishop of Hippo (now Bona) in North Africa (395).